Baseball

Seven-Run Eighth Inning Lifts Baseball to 8-6 Win Over Brown

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -
Sophomore Carl Bacon hit a three-run home run to highlight a seven-run eighth inning as the Santa Clara baseball team rallied from behind to post an 8-6 win over Brown at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Broncos, winners of five out of their last six games, improve to 12-7 on the season. The Bears remain winless in 2005 with a 0-5 record heading into Saturday.

The Broncos found themselves behind 6-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth after Brown had scored four in the fourth inning and two in the third frame. Brown starter Bryan Tews had posted a strong seven innings prior to the eighth inning, allowing only one run on two hits. However, Tews issued a lead-off walk to David Hoffmire and allowed a single by Eric Newton to end his night.

As the Broncos worked their way into the Bear bullpen, the tide began to change as SCU loaded the bases on a single by Robert Perry. Another pitching change would follow before pinch hitter Jason Matteucci singled into right center field to drive in the first Bronco run of the inning and keep the bases loaded with no outs. Michael Thompson was also issued a free pass to first to drive in another run and cut the Bear lead to three runs.

Following another pitching change, catcher Kris Watts was hit by a pitch to bring in the fourth SCU run of the evening. A sacrifice fly from Nic Crosta brought in another and recorded only the first out of the inning. With runners on first and third, Bacon hit a line drive home run over the right field wall to give Santa Clara an 8-6 advantage. It was his second of the season after hitting one last weekend at San Jose State.

In the top of the ninth, the Broncos would allow Brown to load the bases with two outs. However, closer Anthony Rea would force a fly out to record his conference-leading fifth save of the season and seal the win for SCU.

Scott Lonergan improved to 2-0 with the win. He was solid in 3.1 innings of relief, allowing only one hit in his outing.

Bacon paced SCU with three RBI, while Perry was the only Bronco to record multiple hits on the night.

The series will continue on Saturday with a 1 p.m. match-up at Buck Shaw Stadium. Right-hander Patrick Overholt will make the start on the mound for the Broncos.